Many Muslims ask about the istighfar that forgives all sins. The Sunnah contains several profound formulas for seeking Allah’s forgiveness and repenting to Him, including Sayyid al-Istighfar, one of the greatest supplications taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Reciting istighfar should be accompanied by sincere repentance. True repentance involves leaving the sin, regretting it, resolving not to return to it, and restoring other people’s rights when the sin involves them.

What Is Sayyid al-Istighfar?

Sayyid al-Istighfar is a comprehensive supplication that combines belief in Allah’s Oneness, acknowledgment of His Lordship, recognition of His blessings, admission of one’s sins, and a request for forgiveness.

The Prophet ﷺ taught:

“O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You created me and I am Your servant...”

The supplication continues by acknowledging Allah’s blessings and the servant’s sins before asking Allah for forgiveness, because no one forgives sins except Him.

Why Is It Called Sayyid al-Istighfar?

It is called Sayyid al-Istighfar, or the master of seeking forgiveness, because it contains comprehensive meanings of praising Allah, affirming His Oneness, acknowledging His blessings and the servant’s shortcomings, and asking Him for forgiveness.

What Is the Virtue of Sayyid al-Istighfar?

An authentic hadith states that whoever says Sayyid al-Istighfar during the day with certainty and dies before evening will be among the people of Paradise. Whoever says it at night with certainty and dies before morning will likewise be among the people of Paradise.

This demonstrates the great virtue of the supplication when it is said with sincere faith and certainty.

When Should Sayyid al-Istighfar Be Recited?

It may be recited in the morning and evening. The specific virtue mentioned in the hadith is connected to saying it during the day or night with certainty as described by the Prophet ﷺ.

Is There an Istighfar for Major Sins?

Another reported formula is:

“I seek forgiveness from Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all, and I repent to Him.”

This wording combines seeking forgiveness with repentance and includes praise of Allah as the Ever-Living and Sustainer.

Does Istighfar Alone Forgive All Sins?

Seeking forgiveness is among the greatest means of obtaining Allah’s forgiveness, but sincere repentance remains essential.

Leaving the Sin

A person should abandon the sin for which they are seeking forgiveness rather than deliberately persisting in it.

Regretting the Sin

Genuine regret is an essential meaning of sincere repentance and reflects the servant’s return to Allah.

Resolving Not to Return

The believer should sincerely resolve not to return to the sin. If they later fall again, they should renew their repentance and never despair of Allah’s mercy.

Restoring Other People’s Rights

When a sin involves another person’s rights, those rights should be restored or the matter resolved appropriately.

The Best Formula for Seeking Forgiveness

Sayyid al-Istighfar is among the greatest formulas of istighfar reported in the Sunnah because it combines Tawhid, acknowledgment of Allah’s blessings, recognition of one’s sins, and a request for forgiveness.

A Muslim may also frequently say:

“I seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him.”

The important point is to combine the words of istighfar with sincerity and genuine repentance.

Summary

Sayyid al-Istighfar is one of the greatest prophetic supplications for seeking forgiveness, and its virtue is established in Sahih al-Bukhari.

Another reported formula is:

“I seek forgiveness from Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all, and I repent to Him.”

Seeking forgiveness should be accompanied by sincere repentance, leaving the sin, regretting it, and resolving not to return to it.

What istighfar forgives all sins?

Sayyid al-Istighfar is among the greatest prophetic formulas for seeking forgiveness, together with sincere repentance.

What is Sayyid al-Istighfar?

It is the supplication beginning with: “O Allah, You are my Lord; there is no deity except You.”

Does Sayyid al-Istighfar forgive major sins?

The Sunnah establishes its great virtue, while forgiveness is connected to sincere repentance and turning back to Allah.

How often should Sayyid al-Istighfar be recited?

It is recommended to include it among the morning and evening remembrances.

What is a prophetic formula combining istighfar and repentance?

One reported formula is: “I seek forgiveness from Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all, and I repent to Him.”